In Canada, Cruise Control is standard on all models except the 323i where you have to get Premium Package to get it. I have yet to see a 323i on the road or the lot without Premium (easy to spot, no sunroof either).

i am actually solving the same puzzle, my car is E90/325i, i bought as second hand with almost full option package, but NO cruise control. I have checked now with BMW dealer in The Netherlands, first they tried to install it but had to revert back, they just told me they installed all necessary parts and they are working fine, but car control unit did not recognize it. They tried for 2 days to "hassle" with car control sofware (i do not know what exactly they did) but gave up.

Today i have visited biggest BMW service center in Netherlands, after investigation they told me it is not possible, with no serious explanation of reasons and recommended to contact non-authorized BMW service center. So i suppose, this is some ridiculous BMW policy limitation, not a technical problem (or in conjuction with some other equipment i have function of cc is not fully guaranteed by factory or so)

I am looking just for basic functionality (static cruise control), if active cc (distance control) is possible, it is just fine. I do not care about costs, but driving without cc is just terrible. I have my E90 now for 3 months, but expecting such a problems to have basic functionality installed i would never buy it.

So if you would know any dealer/company/tuner in western Europe, that could deal with it, please let me know. I am trying to google, but i speak only English, no Dutch, German and many web pages are local languages only.

New cluster (for vehicles with cruise / dynamic / active)
New control unit (with the new arm for controling the cruise)
New dynamic module which handles the speed contant on inclines and declines.
New cover for the underside of the column to accomodate the new arm from control unit

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After fitting the cluster and control box, the mechanic discovers that the dynamic box cannot be connected?? and that the car isnt preped from the factort for SA544 or cruise with dynamic function....

So after a lengthy talk with BMW, we discover that the car needs to be fitted with the wiring to acccomodate the dynamic module (an 18 pin connector and wires to go with it...) and after finding the complete wiring schematics frm BMW´s WDS wiring diagram server, we now have to build the net for the car.

BUT !! thats not enough .. then once the car is prepped, you need to buy a BMW farzug auftrag , basically a access coding that initialises the coding for the units. THEN you have to code the whole car to accept the new parts...

Seriously, if i knew how much effort it was to do this .. i would never had said yes to doing the job.

It is almost impossible, but BMW say that this is normal for cars built pre ´06 ?

Thank you for update, so i see more into this problem now! Looking at your post i basically see two options:

1. If you'll succeed with your current attempt, i am already sigining in for installation into my car! I don't need dynamical control, but riding long distances on higway with speed limits without even a possibility to put down the leg from pedal is driving me nuts!

2. If you won't, then i am giving up and look for new car.

I'll keep close watch on this thread, so please, keep it posted with some news you might have, i'll really apreciate this.

Nope, I'm in Portugal and CC isn't standard (I've the 325i). It costs something like 350€ (+- $500), or free if you have the Confort, Sport or Dynamic package.
It's a shame that a €55.000 (+- $78.000) car doesn't have a fricking cruise control. And yes, the E92 CPO 325i costs $78.000 here.